What Is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is one sentence that tells your reader your main point and what the rest of your writing will prove. It usually comes at the end of your introduction.
Build my thesis in 3 steps → Get kid-safe coaching (no copy-paste answers).
How to Write a Thesis Statement
3-Step Kid-Friendly Formula
Topic: “I’m writing about ___.”
Point/Claim: “I think/learned that ___.”
Because/Focus: “because ___, ___, and ___.”
Thesis Statement Sentence Starters (Copy-Ready)
I believe ___ because ___ and ___. ___ should ___ because ___, ___, and ___. The best ___ is ___ since ___ and ___. While ___ and ___ are similar in ___, they differ in ___ and ___. ___ teaches us that ___. |
Thesis Statement Templates Kids Can Fill In
Opinion / Argumentative
[Topic] should/should not [action/idea] because [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3].
Informative / Explanatory
[Topic] has [main idea] for three reasons: [focus 1], [focus 2], and [focus 3].
Compare & Contrast
While [Thing A] and [Thing B] are similar in [similarity], they differ in [difference 1] and [difference 2], which shows [so what].
Make a study plan in 10 minutes → Flashcards, quick quizzes, and a one-minute summary.
40+ Thesis Statement Examples Kids Can Copy
Opinion / Argumentative (copy these)
Homework should be limited because kids need time to sleep, play, and help at home. Students should wear school uniforms to reduce bullying, save money, and build school pride. Schools should start later since more sleep improves focus, grades, and health. Kids should learn coding because it builds problem-solving, creativity, and future careers. Video games can be good for kids when they teach strategy, teamwork, and patience. School cafeterias should offer more fresh fruit because it boosts energy, focus, and healthy habits. Recycling at school should be required to cut waste, save money, and protect wildlife. Phones should be parked during class so students can listen better, finish work, and respect others. Every student should join one club because it grows skills, friendships, and confidence. PE classes should include more choices to fit different interests, abilities, and goals. Libraries should extend hours to support homework help, quiet study, and safe spaces. Schools should fund arts programs because they build creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Class pets should be allowed when classrooms set care schedules, safety rules, and cleaning plans. Field trips should connect to lessons to make learning real, memorable, and fun. Screen time at night should be limited to improve sleep, mood, and next-day learning. |
Informative / Explanatory
The water cycle moves water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Bees are essential pollinators because they help plants reproduce, support food chains, and protect biodiversity. Volcanoes form when magma rises, pressure builds, and lava erupts onto Earth’s surface. Photosynthesis lets plants make food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. Fossils tell scientists about ancient life by showing shapes, ages, and environments. The moon’s phases change as sunlight hits the moon at different angles during its orbit. Healthy habits include sleeping enough, moving daily, and eating colorful foods. Rainforests matter because they hold biodiversity, store carbon, and provide medicines. Electric circuits work when power flows through a closed path from source to load. Simple machines lever, wheel, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw make work easier by changing force. Habitats support animals with food, water, shelter, and space. Earthquakes happen when energy releases along faults, shaking the ground. Cloud types cumulus, stratus, cirrus signal fair weather, drizzle, or approaching storms. Renewable energy comes from sun, wind, and water that nature replaces quickly. Bacteria can be helpful in digestion, food production, and ecosystems. |
Compare & Contrast
Cats and dogs are both great pets, but dogs need more training while cats are lower-maintenance. E-books and printed books both help us read, yet printed books rest the eyes while e-books are more portable. Solar and wind power are both renewable, but solar fits sunny places while wind suits breezy areas. City and country life both build community, but cities offer more services while country life offers more space. Basketball and soccer both require teamwork, yet basketball uses hands while soccer uses feet. Laptops and tablets both let us work anywhere, but laptops type faster while tablets are lighter. Sharks and dolphins both swim fast, but sharks are fish with gills while dolphins are mammals with lungs. Pencils and pens both write clearly, but pencils erase easily while pens look sharper. Buses and bikes both reduce traffic, but buses carry many riders while bikes are flexible and cheap. Sneakers and sandals both protect feet, yet sneakers support sports while sandals keep feet cool. |
Grade-Level Guides (quick)
3rd–4th Grade: one clear idea + 2 reasons.
5th–6th Grade: add specific nouns/verbs and a “because” clause.
7th–8th Grade: add nuance with although/while and a mini counterpoint.
Quick Fixes: Turn a Weak Thesis into a Strong One
Before → After
Fact: Volcanoes are interesting.
→ Strong: Volcanoes are powerful natural events because pressure builds underground, magma rises, and lava erupts.
Vague: Dogs are better.
→ Strong: Dogs are great pets because they encourage exercise, teach responsibility, and offer protection.
Too broad: School is important.
→ Strong: School clubs help students grow by building teamwork, leadership, and confidence.
Run-on: Recycling is good and everyone should do it because the planet is in danger and trash is bad.
→ Strong: Schools should require recycling because it cuts waste, saves money, and protects wildlife.
Printable Thesis Statement Worksheet (Free)
Use this with students to plan topics → claim → reasons → final thesis. 👉 Download the worksheet PDF
FAQs
What is a thesis statement for kids?
A one-sentence main idea that tells what you believe or what you’ll explain.
How long should it be?
One sentence short, clear, and specific.
Where does it go?
At the end of the introduction.
Is a thesis the same as a claim?
Yes, “claim,” “main idea,” and “thesis” are often used the same way.
Easy starters for opinion writing?
“I believe ___ because ___ and .” / “ should ___ because ___, ___, and ___.”
Simple informative thesis?
“[Topic] has [main idea] because [focus 1], [focus 2], and [focus 3].”
Copy-Paste Corner (best of the best)
Students should wear school uniforms to reduce bullying, save money, and build school pride. Schools should start later since more sleep improves focus, grades, and health. The water cycle moves water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. While cats and dogs are both great pets, dogs need more training while cats are lower-maintenance. Kids should learn coding because it builds problem-solving, creativity, and future car |
